Quick answer
Most people with low or modest incomes can get affordable health coverage. Medicaid and CHIP are free or low cost and open all year, Marketplace plans at HealthCare.gov come with income-based premium tax credits, and Medicare has programs that help pay premiums. Without insurance, community health centers charge on a sliding scale and nonprofit hospitals must offer charity care. Applying for these programs is free.
Key takeaways
- Medicaid is free or near-free coverage; most states expanded it to more adults, and you can apply any time of year.
- Marketplace plans at HealthCare.gov come with income-based tax credits that lower monthly premiums.
- Nonprofit hospitals must have a financial assistance (charity care) policy — ask before paying any large bill.
- Medicaid rules are changing for many adults in late 2026 and 2027, including work requirements and more frequent renewals.
Table of contents
Health help by need
| Need | Where to start | Our guide |
|---|---|---|
| Free or low-cost coverage | Your state Medicaid agency or HealthCare.gov | Medicaid: who qualifies and how to apply |
| Age 65 or older, or on disability | Medicare.gov and your free SHIP counselor | Medicare benefits and costs |
| Checking your income against the limits | The federal poverty guidelines | Federal poverty guidelines |
| Dental care | Medicaid, dental schools, health centers | Financial assistance for dental work |
| Hearing aids | Medicaid, VA, and state programs | Government assistance for hearing aids |
| Cancer treatment costs | Hospital charity care and patient charities | Government grants for cancer patients |
Medicaid & CHIP
Medicaid covers low-income adults, children, pregnant people, older adults, and people with disabilities at little or no cost, and CHIP covers children in families that earn too much for Medicaid. Income limits are based on the federal poverty level and vary by state — in 2026 the poverty guideline is $15,960 for one person, plus $5,680 for each additional person (see our poverty guidelines page). Apply through your state Medicaid agency or HealthCare.gov. Enrollment is year-round, and getting Medicaid can make it easier to qualify for SNAP and Lifeline.
A 2025 federal law changes Medicaid for many adults who got coverage through expansion. Eligibility checks move to every six months for renewals on or after December 31, 2026. A work or community engagement requirement of 80 hours a month applies by January 1, 2027 (some states may start earlier), with exemptions for groups such as parents of children 13 and under and people who are medically frail. Coverage for bills from before you applied also shrinks on January 1, 2027. Our Medicaid guide has the full timeline.
Marketplace coverage and subsidies
If you don't qualify for Medicaid, HealthCare.gov (or your state's own marketplace) sells plans with premium tax credits based on your income and household size. You see your exact credit before you choose a plan. Open enrollment for the next year starts November 1; check HealthCare.gov for this year's deadline. Losing other coverage, moving, or having a baby can open a special enrollment period at other times. Free local helpers ("navigators") can walk you through plan choice at no cost.
Help with Medicare costs
In 2026 the standard Medicare Part B premium is $202.90 a month with a $283 yearly deductible, and out-of-pocket costs for covered Part D drugs are capped at $2,100. If your income is limited, Medicare Savings Programs can pay your Part B premium, and Extra Help lowers drug costs. Medicare Open Enrollment runs October 15 to December 7. A free SHIP counselor can help you apply; see our Medicare benefits guide and Medicare.gov.
Care without insurance
Federally funded community health centers charge on a sliding scale based on income — find one with HRSA's locator. Nonprofit hospitals must have a written financial assistance policy under federal tax law: ask for it before paying any large bill, because qualifying can cut or erase it, sometimes even after you've been billed. If you are uninsured or pay yourself, the No Surprises Act lets you ask for a good faith estimate before scheduled care. For prescriptions, manufacturer assistance programs and discount programs can beat cash prices.
Medical debt
Before you pay a large medical bill, take three steps: request an itemized bill and check it for errors, apply for charity care, and ask about a self-pay discount or an interest-free payment plan. The three national credit bureaus say they don't report paid medical collections or medical collections under $500, and unpaid ones wait a year before they appear. Check your reports free at AnnualCreditReport.com. If bills have spiraled, our debt relief guide and hardship relief programs cover the honest options.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get health coverage if I have no income?
Usually, yes. In the 41 states (including D.C.) that expanded Medicaid, adults with little or no income generally qualify, and you can apply any time of year. In states that did not expand, adults without children may not qualify, so check HealthCare.gov or your state Medicaid agency.
What is hospital charity care?
Nonprofit hospitals must have a written financial assistance policy under federal tax law. Based on your income, it can reduce or erase a bill, sometimes even after you have been billed. You usually have to ask for the application.
Does medical debt hurt my credit score?
Less than it used to. The three national credit bureaus say they do not report paid medical collections or medical collections under $500, and unpaid ones wait a year before they appear. A 2025 federal rule to remove more medical debt from credit reports was struck down by a court, so larger unpaid bills can still show up.
Is Medicaid changing?
Yes. A 2025 federal law adds eligibility checks every six months for expansion adults starting with renewals on or after December 31, 2026, and a work or community engagement requirement of 80 hours a month for expansion adults by January 1, 2027, with exemptions. Watch for letters from your state.
Sources
Facts on this page were checked against these sources on October 25, 2026. If a source and this page ever disagree, follow the source.
- Medicaid & CHIP coverage (HealthCare.gov)
- HealthCare.gov (Marketplace)
- Health provisions in the 2025 federal budget reconciliation law: Medicaid (KFF)
- Medicare.gov (CMS)
- Find a health center (HRSA)
- Financial assistance policies (IRS)
- Medical bill rights (CMS)
General information only, not medical, legal, or financial advice — see our disclaimers. National Relief Program is an independent website, not a government agency. Applying for official programs is always free.
Before you apply: program rules, amounts, and deadlines change. Always confirm details with the official agency or program administrator. Applying for government benefits is free.
National Relief Program is an independent guide, not a government agency. Spotted an error? Email [email protected].